Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Question 1

The DSM system recognises OCD and a range of related disorders, what are some of these disorders?

Answer 1

• OCD,
• Trichotillomania,
• Hoarding disorder,
• Excoriation disorder.

Question 2

The DSM system recognises OCD and a range of related disorders, what do these all have in common?

Answer 2

They are repetitive behaviours accompanied by obsessive thinking.

Question 3

What does the DSM categorise Trichotillomania?

Answer 3

Compulsive hair pulling.

Question 4

What does the DSM categorise Hoarding disorder?

Answer 4

The compulsive gathering of possessions and the inability to part with anything, regardless of its value.

Question 5

What does the DSM categorise Excoriation disorder?

Answer 5

Compulsive skin picking.

Question 6

What does the DSM categorise OCD?

Answer 6

Characterised by either obsessions and/or compulsions, (Most people with OCD have both).

Question 7

What is meant by the behavioural characteristics?

Answer 7

The ways in which people act.

Question 8

What is meant by the emotional characteristics?

Answer 8

The ways in which people feel.

Question 9

What is meant by the cognitive characteristics?

Answer 9

The ways in which people think and process information.

Question 10

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 10

• Compulsions,

- Avoidance.

Question 11

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 11

• Anxiety and distress,
• Accompanying depression,
• Guilt and disgust.

Question 12

What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 12

• Obsessive thoughts,
• Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions,
• Insight into excessive anxiety.

Question 13

What are compulsions?

Answer 13

They are repetitive and ritualistic behaviours, they momentarily reduce anxiety when performed.

Question 14

What does OCD stand for?

Answer 14

Obsessive Compulsive disorder.

Question 15

What is avoidance?

Answer 15

The sufferer avoids situations that may trigger them.

Question 16

Give some examples of common compulsions:

Answer 16

• Excessive washing/cleaning,
• Excessive checking,
• Hoarding,
• Repetition.

Question 17

What are obsessions?

Answer 17

Persistent, intrusive and recurring thoughts or images.

Question 18

Excessive washing of hands is an example of what?

Answer 18

Compulsions.

Question 19

What is the main behavioural component of OCD?

Answer 19

Compulsive behaviour.

Question 20

Compulsive behaviours have two main elements, what are these?

Answer 20

1) Compulsions are repetitive,

2) Compulsions reduce anxiety.

Question 21

Most OCD sufferers experience both obsessions and compulsions, roughly how many suffer only compulsions?

Answer 21

10% experience compulsions alone.

Question 22

Most OCD sufferers experience both obsessions and compulsions, roughly how many suffer only obsessions?

Answer 22

20% experience obsessions alone.

Question 23

For around 90% of OCD sufferers the major cognitive feature of their condition is _____________.

Answer 23

Obsessive thoughts.

For around 90% of OCD sufferers the major cognitive feature of their condition is obsessive thoughts.

Question 24

Explain how compulsions are repetitive:

Answer 24

Typically OCD sufferers feel compelled to repeat a behaviour because the action grants temporary belief, then the obsessive thought comes back soon after and the behaviour will repeat.

Question 25

Explain how compulsions are repetitive:

Answer 25

Typically OCD sufferers feel compelled to repeat a behaviour because the action grants temporary belief, then the obsessive thought comes back soon after and the behaviour will repeat.

Question 26

Explain how compulsions reduce anxiety:

Answer 26

For the majority of sufferers, compulsions are performed in an attempt to reduce the anxiety brought about by the obsessive thought.

Question 27

Describe a cycle of OCD for someone suffering compulsive hand washing:

Answer 27

- Obsessive thought of germs on their hands, - Creates anxiety, - Compulsive behaviour of washing hands, - Grants temporary relief, - Obsessive thought repeats itself.

Question 28

Explain why sufferers show avoidance behaviours:

Answer 28

The avoidance behaviour is done in attempt to reduce anxiety by keeping away from situations that trigger it.

Question 29

Explain the emotional characteristic of anxiety and distress:

Answer 29

OCD is accompanied by powerful anxiety that follows obsessive thoughts. These thoughts are unpleasant and frightening which cause them to become overwhelmed, the compulsions also create anxiety and distress.

Question 30

What is the largest emotional characteristic associated with OCD?

Answer 30

Anxiety.

Question 31

Sufferers of compulsive hand washing may avoid coming into contact with germs, explain why:

Answer 31

To avoid having to repeat their compulsive hand washing.

Question 32

What is the link between OCD and Depression?

Answer 32

They are often co-morbid, so anxiety can be accompanied by low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities.

Question 33

Explain the characteristic of guilt and disgust:

Answer 33

OCD sometimes involves other negative emotions such as irrational guilt, or disgust which may be directed at something external, or at themselves.

Question 34

What is the main cognitive characteristic of OCD?

Answer 34

Obsessive thoughts.

Question 35

Describe a cycle of OCD for someone suffering compulsive checking:

Answer 35

- Obsessive thought of leaving something unsecured, - Creates anxiety, - Compulsive behaviour of checking, - Grants temporary relief, - Obsessive thought repeats itself.

Question 36

Explain cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions:

Answer 36

Sufferers adopt cognitive coping strategies to deal with the anxiety but these often make the person appear abnormal to others and it can distract them from daily tasks.

Question 37

Give an example of someone using a cognitive strategy to deal with obsessions:

Answer 37

A religious person tormented by obsessive guilt may respond by praying and meditating for long times.

Question 38

Are sufferers aware that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational?

Answer 38

Yes, they are aware but cannot stop them.

Question 39

Explain why OCD sufferers may tend to be hyper-vigilant:

Answer 39

Because they maintain constant alertness to keep attention focused for any potential hazards.

Question 40

Explain what is meant by an obsessive thought:

Answer 40

A persistent, intrusive, recurring thought or image.

Question 41

Give an example of an obsessive thought for someone with a compulsive hand washing regime:

Answer 41

A recurring worry about being contaminated with dirt and germs.

Question 42

What method is used to diagnose someone with OCD an make sure that their diagnosis is reliable?

Answer 42

The test-retest method where they go to many doctors and the degree to which they all agree is the reliability of the diagnosis.

Question 43

Why is the validity of OCD diagnosis often questioned?

Answer 43

Due to the self-report diagnosis', it relies on the patient accurately reporting their symptoms which is subjective, doctors opinions are also subjective.

Question 44

What is comorbidity and where do we see it in OCD?

Answer 44

The presence of one or more additional disorder, OCD is often co-morbid with depression.

Question 45

Give an example of an obsessive thought for someone with a compulsive door lock checking regime:

Answer 45

The recurring thought of someone breaking into their house through the unlocked door.

Question 46

What three type of characteristics are shown in OCD sufferers?

Answer 46

Cognitive - the way you think. Emotional - the way you feel. Behavioural - the way you act.

Question 47

Obsessive thoughts differ in their nature, but what is true about all of them?

Answer 47

They all are unpleasant and cause anxiety.

Question 48

Catastrophe thoughts about the worst case scenario are a characteristic under which type?

Answer 48

Cognitive.

Question 49

Explain insight into excessive anxiety:

Answer 49

- They are aware it is irrational. - Catastrophe thoughts about worst case scenarios. - Hypervigilant to keep a look out.